Ian McCausland, a board member of Bike Winnipeg, described a close call with an electric bike user in an interview with CBC Up to Speed<\/a> last Tuesday. It prompted him to make a social media post about proper bike etiquette.\u00a0<\/p>\n The incident \u201creally highlighted the fact that there is a lot of people on these multi-use paths who need to be reminded about the kind of etiquette that they need to employ to make sure that every user of these paths remains safe,\u201d McCausland said.<\/p>\n He emphasized that the variety of transportation used on multi-use paths means \u201ceveryone [has] to get along nice\u201d and be mindful of each other\u2019s safety.<\/p>\n \u201cJust about everything but a car uses these multi-use paths,\u201d he said. They can be used by bikes, e-bikes, scooters, joggers, rollerbladers, parents with strollers and everything in between.\u00a0<\/p>\n That mix of active transportation can increase the risk of potential incidents, especially on highly-used paths. Multi-use paths make up 27 per cent of municipal cycling infrastructure, while painted bike lanes account for 26 per cent, according to a February 2025 report<\/a> from Statistics Canada.<\/p>\n McCausland says it can be \u201cscary\u201d when people whiz past without any form of communication. Failing to give a heads-up to others on multi-use paths can lead to collisions.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you\u2019re startled sometimes you can move in the wrong direction and that can \u2026 create, you know, an incident where somebody could get hurt,\u201d said McCausland.<\/p>\n The best way to avoid startling others, McCausland says, is to announce your presence with a bell or your voice by saying you\u2019re passing on the left, and to slow down as you approach.<\/p>\n This advice is especially important for those riding e-bikes. The federal government caps e-bike motor assistance at 32 kilometres per hour, though riders can continue pedalling at that speed or faster.<\/p>\n McCausland says the rise in e-bikes reflects growing interest in active transportation, but many users may not have had a chance to learn proper etiquette<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of room in this space for education,\u201d said McCausland.<\/p>\n LISTEN | Winnipeg cyclist encouraging bike etiquette on multi-use paths:<\/p>\n Up To Speed8:27Winnipeg cyclist encouraging bike etiquette on multi-use paths<\/p>\n With more Manitobans opting to travel on two wheels instead of four, proper etiquette should be practiced to keep road-users safe. Guest host Chloe Friesen speaks with a board member from Bike Winnipeg.<\/p>\n Increasing trends in micromobility \u2014 small, low-speed vehicles designed for personal use \u2014 led to Bill 43, The Highway Traffic Amendment and Drivers and Vehicles Amendment<\/a>, and Winnipeg is considering developing its own bylaw changes eventually<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bill 43, which was passed on June 1 but is not yet law, includes details like speed limits, age restrictions, and usage guidelines for e-scooters and other devices.<\/p>\n \u2018Sidewalks are for walking\u2019 Dave Elmore, one of the founding directors of Bike Winnipeg, says when he teaches bike etiquette he refers to the \u201cthree C\u2019s\u201d: co-operation, communication and courtesy.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we were all just to be courteous and co-operate with each other, we would have \u2026 far fewer issues,\u201d Elmore said.<\/p>\n He says one of the best ways to alert others on multi-use paths is by using a bike bell. While some riders call out, that can sometimes startle pedestrians \u2014 especially older ones \u2014 if they suddenly hear shouting from behind.<\/p>\n If a rider doesn\u2019t have a bell, feels uncomfortable calling out, or encounters someone wearing headphones, Elmore says the safest approach is to slow down and give plenty of space when passing.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782212238_838_default.jpg\")
Bike Winnipeg board member Ian McCausland says it’s important to let other people on multi-use paths know when you’re about to pass them. (Mike Arsenault\/CBC)<\/p>\n![\"Man](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782212239_998_default.jpg\")
Dave Elmore, one of the founding directors of Bike Winnipeg, believes education and ongoing conversations are important for bike etiquette. (Submitted by Dave Elmore)<\/p>\n
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